R&B Christmas Concert Review: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties

This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest fame.

Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

Their set included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.